New London school temporarily locked down while police chase suspect

New London — Jennings Elementary School was temporarily locked down Wednesday afternoon as police officers pursued a man onto school grounds who was reportedly in possession of a handgun.

Dispatched to a home at 70 Brainard St. at about 2 p.m. for a reported domestic dispute, police said a man reportedly in possession of a handgun fled the scene. The man was later spotted fleeing through the school yard of the Jennings School on Mercer Street, police said. The school was locked down during the police pursuit, which occurred shortly before school dismissal, according to Deputy Police Chief Peter Reichard.

Julianne Hanckel, communications manager for the school system, said the lockdown lasted about five minutes.

Police apprehended 29-year-old Tyronne Santiago, 29, a short distance from the school. Police said they have recovered evidence — a portable scale and a quantity of heroin — they believe Santiago discarded while running through a parking lot.

Police said the charges against Santiago are pending. Police did not say whether or not Santiago had a gun.